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Cabbage palm

How to identify Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)

Cabbage palm, also known as Sabal palm, Swamp cabbage

Cabbage palm exhibits a characteristic silhouette with a stout, smooth trunk that can reach heights of up to 20-30 feet (6-9 meters). The trunk is topped by a crown of fan-shaped leaves, each leaf reaching around 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) in length. The petioles are thorny and, when mature, the plant produces yellowish-white flowers. Its dark green, costapalmate leaves are a blend of palmate and pinnate features. This species also boasts an admirable tolerance to salt spray, a testament to its coastal adaptability.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Palm

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Cabbage palm

1

Stout trunk reaching 20-30 feet (6-9 meters), topped by fan-shaped leaves.

2

Dark green, costapalmate leaves with blend of palmate and pinnate features.

3

Yellowish-white flowers in sizable clusters up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.

4

Small, dark blue to black drupes around 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter.

5

Palmate, fan-shaped leaves up to 5 feet (150 cm) long with prominent veined patterns.

Cabbage palmCabbage palmCabbage palmCabbage palmCabbage palm

Detailed Traits of Cabbage palm

Leaf Features

The leaves of cabbage palm are palmate and fan-shaped, reaching up to 5 feet (150 cm) in length. They are supported by stiff stems measuring between 2 to 7 feet (60 to 210 cm). The fronds exhibit a distinctive arch, which sets them apart from the closely related species. With a rich green color and a tough, fibrous texture, the leaves also feature prominently veined patterns that radiate from the base, enhancing their structural and visual appeal.

Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

Cabbage palm features striking white flowers that emanate a pleasant fragrance. These blooms form in sizable clusters up to 2 feet (60 cm) in length, typically appearing during July. The individual flowers are small but abundant, creating a dense, visually impressive inflorescence. Each flower has a delicate, symmetrical arrangement of petals, contributing to its appealing aesthetic. The pleasant scent of these flowers adds to their allure, making them a noteworthy feature for identification during the mid-summer blooming period.

Cabbage palm Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of cabbage palm manifests as a small, dark blue to black drupe, typically around 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter. Each fruit presents a singular, glossy seed enclosed within a fleshy pulp. These globular drupes display a somewhat wrinkled texture upon maturity and are prominently displayed in clusters. Notable for their persistence on the plant, the fruits are a conspicuous feature on cabbage palm during the peak display months of October to November.

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Key Facts About Cabbage palm

Attributes of Cabbage palm
Spread
3 m to 4.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Yellow
Cream
Fruit Color
Black
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Cabbage palm

Family
Palm
Icon allow
Species
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
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Distribution Map of Cabbage palm

Cabbage palm is native to the southeast of the US. It is found in moist soil on coastal plains and brackish marshes. It has been introduced to Trinidad and Tobago.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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